A twistable aggregation induced emission enhancement active multisite fluorescent sensor for targeted sensing of zinc ions, 4-nitrophenol and chloroform in diverse conditions

Abstract

Excessive utilization of Zn2+ and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in multiple fields has been becoming a serious threat to the environment and human health from a long time. Considering this, a multipurpose, extremely sensitive and selective fluorescent sensor BMP has been developed for the sensing of Zn2+, 4-NP and chloroform. Chalcone based sensor BMP was easily synthesized through simple aldol condensation reaction that possessed remarkable aggregation induced emission enhancement (AIEE) features along with the formation of J-aggregates. The particle size of aggregates was measured by DLS analysis. Sensor BMP showed strong emission at wavelength 430 nm. Moreover, sensor BMP showed different emissive behavior in various solvents. Sensor BMP selectively detected the Zn2+ through Chelation Enhanced Fluorescence (CHEF) intensity. BMP sensor has selectively sensed the 4-NP through photo-induced electron transfer (PET) quenching mechanism. Along with Zn2+ and 4-NP the sensor BMP has interestingly detected the percentage of chloroform in DCM. The calculated values of limit of detection for Zn2+, 4-NP and chloroform is 43 nM, 18 nM and 0.1 % v/v, respectively. UV–Visible, 1H NMR, LC-MS titration, and SEM experiments were also executed to verify the interaction of BMP sensor with respective analytes. Furthermore, the experimental findings were further justified through the theoretical studies including energy calculation of orbitals and nature of interactions. BMP sensor was employed in both solution and solid state for successful sensing of Zn2+, 4-NP and chloroform in real samples.